Automatic means for stitching pockets and the like



Sep t. 28; 1937. c. G. DAUGHTERS AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR STITCHING POCKETS AND THE LIKE FiledMay 23, 1954 4 Sheets-Shet 1 Ulla rles fiflauyfiiers Sept. 28, 1937.

4 c. G: DAUGHTERS 2,094,528

AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR STITCHING POCKETS AND THE LIKE Filed May 23, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 fifiarlea fipozayblfera Sept. 28, 1937. k c. e. DAUGHTERS 2,094,528

I AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR STITCHING' POCKETS AND THE LIKE Filed May 23, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 28, 1937.

C. G. DAUGHTERS AUTOMATIC MEANS FOR STITCHING POCKETS AND THE LIKE Filed May 23, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 28, 1937 PATENT ori AUTOMATIC MEANS on STITCHING PooKE'rs AND 111 LIKE Y Charles G. Daughters, Milford, Ohio Application May 23, 1934, Serial No. 727,145

8 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic means for effecting curve and straight stitching in a continuous operation and is exemplified herein as adapted to the sewing of pockets of the exteriorly attached type, commonly known as patch pockets, to their supporting material.

An object of the invention is to provide means of the kind indicated in which the entire sewing operation, including the carrying of the material to sewing position, the actual stitching operation, and the removal of the sewed article from position, are all carried outautomatically and in such manner as to dispense with skilled service.

Another object is to provide automatic sewing means of the kind described which may be readily applied to and associated with existing sewing machines and the various parts of which may be produced very efiiciently.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated in the ac.- companying drawings, in which:

Fig, 1 is a rear elevational view of a sewing machine with the means of this invention associated therewith, parts being shown in cross section.

Fig. 2 is a view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1,

with parts broken away.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the plate-like jig of the present invention, certain cooperating parts being shown associated therewith.

, Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 3. I V

Fig. 5is a plan view of the cam wheel forming a detail of this invention.

Fig. 6 is a top plan View, with parts broken away, of the sewing machine and the automatic sewing and conveying mechanism associated therewith, conventional indications being utilized to indicate the movement of the jig.

Fig. 7 is a fragmental detail view of the lug releasing mechanism associated with the conveyor illustrated herein.

Fig. 8 is a fragmental detail view in the form of an edge View of the jig-actuating and associated means of this invention.

,Heretofore the effecting of curve stitching and particularly the. attachment of pockets to their supporting material have been performed by hand. Skilled labor was required and the amount of work turned out in connection with these operations was considerably less than in operations in which straight line stitching only was required. Time-consuming hand operations such as indicated are particularly undesirable in large manufacturing establishments where the majority of operations are automatically carried out since the hand operations are necessarily slower and costlier.

The present invention provides for automatic curve and pocket stitching such as might be utilized :in overall manufacturing establishments and in all-instances where patch pockets are used. Theinvention provides, briefly, for a platelike' jig which is adapted to hold the supporting material, such asetrouser leg, and the pocket to be stitched onto the supporting material. The jig is provided with open areas in which the portions of the material to be stitched are dis-'- posed so as .to permit the passage of the needles therethrough. A conveyor is provided for carrying and depositing a loaded jig beneath the sewing machine head and automatic means for actuating the jig to advance both the straight and thecurve portions of the slot-exposed material beneath the needles. After the sewing operation, the'conveyor means are re-associated with the jig and the latter carried away from'operative position. As will be described later, the lifting and lowering of the needle as well as the starting andstopping of the jig actuating means, are likewise allautomatic.

With reference to the drawings: the sewing machine I illustrated conventionally herein is of the standard type and for mountinglit there is provided the table 2 having top 3 and legs 4. A suitable source of power, such as the motor 5, is provided, the latter actuating the 'machine I through the medium of the belts 6 and l and the pulleys 8 and 9. The presser foot it is adapted to be actuated in the usual way by the power transmission means described, said needle member being adapted to be raised and lowered by means ofa lever ll of the well known kind.

The pl'ate like jig for holding material to be stitched is particularly detailed in Figs. 3 and 4 and will be found to comprise the disc-like member I2, the central portion of one surface of which is provided with a substantially rectangular recess l3, and withinthis recess a door M is adapted to seat, said door being attached by suitable hinges l5 tothe face-of the jig 82. It will be seen that the door does not fit snugly, along its edges, within the recess. Thed'o or and jig are provided with registering open ar'eas having the general outline of the stitching to be performed, the U-shaped area shown herein beingadapted for the stitching onof pockets. The knob it is utilized for opening andclosing the door. The pair of upwardly projecting lugs H and I8, adapted to start and stop the sewing operation in a manner to be. later described, are attached to the jig. A pair of hook receiving depressions i9 and 2t'a're provided on the upper surface 'of the jig and each has associated therewith a small runway or guide'way 2| and 22, respectively. On the under face of the jig, on either side of the door, are provided the recesses 23. The door it has suitable clamping members 24 secured and adapted to be utilized in associating with the jig, the. material tobe stitched. It is obvious that any 'othe'r'suitable means'for this purpose maybe provided. Within the U-shaped area of the door, the surface of the door is provided with a U-shaped guideway 26 similar in direction and having similar relative proportions to said area 25. The guideway 26, however, continues across the door and the adjacent portions of the jig.

On three sides, the notches 21 are formed in the edge of the jig. As is indicated in Fig. 4, the goods, fabric or material is associated with the jig by first lifting the door I4 and then closing the door' down upon material. In the present instance the supporting fabric is represented as at 28 and the pocket member to be stitched thereto is shown at 29. It will be seen that the portions of. the material to be stitched are disposed in the U-shaped areas described so that the needles 30 are permitted to pass therethrough. As has already been intimated, the. portions of the material 28 projecting outwardly of the end of the door I4 adjacent clamps 24 are suitably folded and inserted beneath said clamps so as to preclude interference of the material during the sewing operation. Small studs II 3 projecting from the inner face of door I4; engage the positioned fabric to further preclude shifting thereof.

A conveyor is provided for carrying a plurality of the jigs described into operative position beneath the machine head. The conveyor comprises the supporting structure 3I (Fig. 1) along the top of which extend two parallel runways 32 and 33 which terminate on opposite sides of the table top 3. An endless belt or conveyor 34 is actuated along the runway 33, said belt being actuated by a suitable source. of power. At regular intervals, the belt 34 is provided on its under side with a lug plate 35 which is detailed in Fig. 7. This lug plate has two non-aligned lugs 36 projecting upwardly thereof through perforations 31 in the belt 34. The plate 35 is maintained in association with the belt by virtue of a retractile spring 38 embracing the lower portion of each lug 36 and having one end secured to the bottom face of the belt and the other end to the top face of the lug plate. These springs 38 normally re.-

tain the lug plate in snug engagement against the Fig; 1, it will be seen that the runway 32 is in a' plane somewhat higher than runway 33 to compensate for the resting of the jigon the belt 34 at one side. The jig is thus carried toward the machine head I and when it has reached operative. position, the release mechanism detailed in Fig. 7 is actuated simultaneously with the lowering of the needle and the beginning of the sewing operation, so that the jig will be free to turn 7 in a manner later to be described.

The means for maintaining the jig in operative relationship with the machine head I after the belt has ceased to carry the jig, comprises a rod or guide 39 attached at the operating end of the machine head I and projecting downwardly toward the table top 3.. The rod is slidably held by brackets 46 (Fig. 1) and is adapted to be raised and lowered simultaneously with the raising and lowering of the needle member I 0 by virtue of an extension 4I projecting from the lower end of the machine head and connected to said guide directive control.

39, said extension being suitably associated within the machine head, with the lever I I.

As the jig reaches operative position beneath the machine head, the guide is projected down into the guideway 26 and the guideway and jig are moved thereafter with, said guide 39 as the The automatic actuation of the lever I I is accomplished through the medium of a downwardly projecting arm 42 forming part of the main lever bar 43 which at its outer end, is formed into a finger 44 which contacts and carries upwardly the lever I I. The lower end of the arm 42 is operated upon by a star wheel 45 (Fig. 2), the projections of which alternately contact and carry upwardly said arm 42, the arm being lowered at the intervals between said star wheel projections. The projection I8 on the jig is so positioned that it will contact'and actuate the star wheel 45 as the jig moves into operative position whereby the sewing operation is initiated.

It is now in order to describe the means for actuating the jig .during'the sewingoperation. With particular reference to Figs, 1 and 2, these means comprise a gear 46 which may be associated with the'pulleys 8 and 9. A clutch mechanism 4'! may be associated with the gear 46. Beneath the gear 46 and in mesh therewith is a second gear 48 mounted at one end of atransmission rod 49, the latter being mounted longitudinally between the table legs 4. Adjacent the opposite end'of the rod 49 is a miter gear 56 which meshes with a complementary gear 5I attached to a vertical shaft 52. The latter, at

its lower end, is provided with the miter'gear 53 which cooperates with a similar gear 54 mounted on the stub shaft 55 adjacent the bottom of the table 2. Stub shaft 55 is journalled adjacent the base of a pair of large supporting brackets 56 and has mounted adjacent its inner end a small gear 5'I. Mounted between the brackets 56 is a cam wheel 58 provided with teeth on its periphery for meshing'with the small gear 51. The cam wheel 58-is provided in each of its faces with a cam groove 59 andfill (Fig. 5). The

top portions of the brackets 56 have associated therewith the guide jackets 63 within each of whicha slide block 66 is positioned. A pair of cam followers BI and 62 are associated, one each, with one of the slide blocks 69. The inner end of cam follower 62 projects into the cam groove .59, while the inner end of the cam follower 6! projects into the cam groove 60. The elongated lever 64 has its lower end associated, as at 65 (Fig. 2), with the outer end of cam follower 62. The pivotal mounting of the leverr64 is indicated at 69 (Figs. land 2). The upper end of lever 64 projects to a height substantially the same as the table top 3 and is there secured to a slide 66' (Fig. 6) which is mounted within a guideway 6'! projecting forwardly of the table top 3. The slide 66 has aspringcatch 68 (Fig.

2) adjacent its inner end. It is obvious now that passed over the catch, the latter-springs up and engages in the adjacent one of theinotches 21 in the edge of the'ja'cket. Thereafter the camtil wheel 58 is rotated for actuating lever 64 and the slide 66 associated therewith for effecting straight line movement of the jig during straight line stitching operations performed thereon.

The curve portions of the stitching are accomplished through the medium of the apparatus now to be described. The inner end of the cam follower Bi, projects into the cam groove 66 on wheel 58 and is fixedly associated with the slide block on this side of the cam wheel. A link it has one end pivotally connected with the outer end of the cam follower 6i and the other end connected to the hook-shaped lower end ll of a vertical rock shaft T2. The upper end of rock shaft '52 has fixedly associated therewith a turntable 713 which, as seen in Figs. 6 and 8, overhangs the table top 3 and which is formed at one side to provide an extension M. It is obvious now that when the cam follower Si is actuated by rotation of the cam wheel 58, the vertical rock shaft 12 is axially rotated and similar movement imparted to the turntable-l3.

Underneath the turntable a gear 15 (Fig. 8) is positioned, embracing the shaft 12 but independent thereof. This gear l5 may be supported by and fixed to a brace l6 attached to the under surface of the table top 3. An elongated arm i? has one end turned as at 18 and projecting down through a perforation in the extension '54. Mounted upon this downwardly projecting portion 19 is a free turning gear 86 positioned underneath said extension and meshing with an idling gear H2, which meshes with gear it. A pin 8| fixed to the arm ll adjacent the end 19,

projects through an arcuate slot 8t (Fig. 6) in the extension l4 and is fixed to the peripheral portion of the gear 80.

When one of the jigs approaches operative position beneath the machine head I, the arm ll above described is in such position relative to the jig that the outer hook-shaped end 82 of said arm rides up through a short channel 83 (Fig. 3) at the periphery of the jig, onto the top surface of the jig itself. As the jig is moved forwardly during the first straight line stitching operation, as effected by the previously described lever 64, the hook 82 of arm 11 is maintained directly in alignment with the surface recess 20 in the jig (Fig. 6). Just as the first leg of the U- shaped stitching is completed, said hook-shaped end 82 springs into said depression or recess 29 and simultaneously, the turntable i3 is actuated by the mechanism heretofore described while the movement of the other set of cam means associated with the lever 64, is to neutral position. It will be seen that the turntable in its jig- -actuating movement, is partially rotated in the ing of the arm H in the direction of the small arrow shown associated with said arm in Fig. 6.

The result of this combined action is to swing the jig in the direction of the arrow seen at the left-hand side of the operatively positioned jig in Fig. 6. The small conventional figure of the jig at the bottom of Fig. 6 illustrates the quarterturned jig which is there shown in position for the application of the bottom portion of the U-shaped stitching. Simultaneously the nextnotch 21 has been swung into position to receive the spring catch 68. At this moment, the cam means associated with lever 64 are again actuated in such manner as to advance the jig sufficiently to effect the straight line stitching at the. bottom of the U. During this interval of the straight line stitching, the arm ll is moved back to its original position in readiness to effect the next turning action in cooperation with the recess i9, the hook-shaped end 82 of this arm i sliding frictionally over the uninterrupted surface of the outer portions of the jig, between the recesses i3 and 29. When the straight line bottom portion of the pocket has been stitched, the

hook portionv 82 of arm ll springs resiliently into the recess iii and, under the directive control of the guide 39 and associated means effects the second quarter-turn of the jig whereby the other curved corner portion of the pocket stitching is accomplished. Thereafter the lever 64 and its associated spring catch 68, cooperate with the third of the notches 2? to actuate the jig for advancing the second leg of the U-shaped slot under the needle. It will be seen that the upstanding lug or stud ll on the jig, is in such position as to actuate the star wheel a5 just as the stitching is completed whereby the needle member 5 E) is raised and the operation of the two sets of jig-actuating means terminated momentarily through the action of the clutch means ii, until the next jig has been brought to operative position. In this connection further reference may be made to Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the main machine head lever 33 is shown as having associated with its inner end, the lever and spring shaft means indicated generally by the numeral 85. At its lower end these means are associated with the short clutch actuating arm 86. By this means, the operations of the machine and the jig actuating means described, may be instantly controlled.

A more detailed description of the effect of the cam wheel on its associated means will now be set forth, its general action in advancing the jig having been given above. Particularreference will be made to Figs. 1, 2 and 5. The initial operative position of the cam follower t2 which operates the lever (it, is indicated at 8'? (Fig. 5). From the point 8? to the point 88 the lever 6 3 is advancing the jig to effect the first leg of the U-shaped stitching. During this interval the cam follower ti on the other side of the wheel is in the neutral section 89 of the adjacent cam groove. From the point 88 to the point 39 of the cam groove 59, the associated cam follower 63 is returning the lever 64 to its original operative position while the cam foilower (ii on the other side of the wheel is moving through the section between the numerals 9i and SI for effecting the first curve portion of the stitching. Immediately upon the completion of said cam interval Sill-4H, the cam follower 62 moves from the point 89 to point 92 and effects, through the medium of lever 66, the stitching of the straight bottom sectionof the U. Simultaneously, the cam follower 6! is moving from 9! to 93 of the camgroove 60 which is a return movement to operative position. Immediately thereafter the interval 93 to numeral 814 of the groove tit, effects the swinging of the jig for forming the second curve portion of the U-stitching. While said second curve is being formed, the other cam follower 62 is moving from point $2 to point 95 of groove 59 which is a return movement and immediately upon completing this interval, the

groove section 95 to 96 is effective for pushing the lever 34 inwardly to form the'third straight line section of stitching and thus complete the U. The other cam follower 6| at this time moves from point 94 to point 91 which is a return movement to neutral position. This neutral position continues from the point 531 back to the first operating point 95. It will be noted in Fig. 5 that from the point 96 to the point 81 of the groove 59, there is a straight interval of cam groove through which the cam follower must move to reach the initial operating point 87. This movement. is accomplished through the medium of an expansion spring 98 (Fig. 2) which may be mounted in a suitable recess 99 in the adjacent leg of the table and which has its outer end bearing against the slide block Ell so as to push the cam follower back to the point 81 of the cam groove 59.

It is likewise in order at this point, to further detail the means whereby the loaded jig, after being conveyed into sewing position, is released by the conveyor lug plate 35 so that during the stitching operation the jig may be controlled by the guide 39, the guideway 26, and the cam mechanisms heretofore described. With particular reference to Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7, wherein one form of lug-plate releasing means is illustrated: a solenoid lilfi may be mounted at the under side of table top 3 substantially opposite the point where the stitching operation begins and is completed, as described. The solenoid may be energized'from a suitable source of electrical energy (not shown) through the action of a switchassociated with the solenoid and actuated by the rod Iii! entering the solenoid and attached at its opposite end to the spring shaft mechanism 85 previously described as associated with the short arm 85. Rod NH is pivoted intermediate its ends,

as at [2 (Figs. 1 and 2) so that when the as' V sembly 35 is moved the rod Ill! and the solenoid switch associated therewith are also actuated. This effects throwing of the armature I03 of the solenoid. This armature is an upbent member the beveled end portion I34 of which moves through a recess H35 in the under face of table top 3. Recess i 95 joins, at right angles, with a belt channel 595 which is preferably provided and which ex tends transversely of the upper surface of table top 3. Thus, when the armature I03 is actuated toward the belt 34, the beveled end I04 thereof is thrust between the bottom face of the belt and the upper face of lug plate 35 (see Fig. '2) drawing the lugs 36 out of the jig recesses 3% so that the jig is released to the control of the guide and actuators heretofore set forth. After the stitching is finished, the means automatically stopping that operation likewise actuates the solenoid a second time so that the thrust-in end I04 of the solenoid armature is retracted and the lug plate is drawn up by springs 38 against the'under face of the belt while the lugs 36 are projected up into the pair of recesses 23 on the side of the jig opposite the initially-engaged recesses. Simultaneously the belt is re-actuated and the jig, with a completely stitched pocket thereon, is conveyed from the sewing machine and removed thereafter by an attendant stationed for this purpose, while another loaded jig moves into sewing position.

It now remains to set forth the details of cooperation between the guide rod 39 and its guideway 2%. When the jig has been advanced to the inner end of the first straight line section of stitching, the lower end of the guide 39 contacts a small pointed spring plate Ill! (Figs. 3 and 4) which is normally spring urged so as to project into the guideway 26 adjacent a corner thereof. Adjacent the lower end of the guide 39, the latter is provided with a slot H18 which is directed toward the outer wall of the guideway 26. A finger member I09 is attached adjacent the guideway opposite the spring plate Nil. 'The finger H0 thereof projects into the guideway in such way that after the guide has passed the spring plate It? and the latter has sprung back into position, as seen in Fig. 3, said finger I It precludes further movement of the guide 39 relative to the guideway until the jig swinging mechanism heretofore described turns the. jig its quarter-turn whereby the slot H33 at the bottom of the guide 39 is disposed in alignment with the projecting finger H0, said slot being of such dimension as to receive said finger to permit passageof the guide 39 past the finger. This retention action occurs at the same time that the curve portion of the stitching is being carried out. The same type of spring plate and projecting finger, with the same relative cooperation with the guide 39, are provided in the other corner of the U-shaped guideway 26. 7

It is obvious that the means set forth in the foregoing specification may be modified to achieve the results intended. Such obvious changes, however, an operative mechanism having been illustrated and described herein, are believed to be comprised within the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is: V

1. The combination with a sewing machine, of automatic means for stitching patch pockets onto their supporting material, said means comprising a plate-like jig with a door hingedly connected thereto for seating against one face thereof, the door and jig being provided with U-shape slots registering when the door is closed, the material with the pocket placed thereon being adapted to be positioned in spread condition on the'jig and the door closed thereover with the portions of the material and pocket to be stitched disposed in the slot areas, the outer face of the door within the U-slot thereof being provided with a U-shape guideway extending similarly to the slot, a Vertically movable guide on the machine for projection into said guideway when the jig is placed beneath the machine head, the sewing machine needle at this time extending toward said door slot and above the material associated therewith, a lever associated with the machine, means whereby the lever releasably engages the positioned jig, means synchronized with the operation of'the machine for actuating the lever and the jig associated therewith for advancing beneath the needle the materials in the straight-line portions of the U-shape slots, an arm associated with the machine, means for eifecting engagement of thejig by the arm at the intervals between the straight-line stitching operations, means for effecting momentary retention of said guide in the corner portions of said guideway, and means for moving the engaged arm during said retention intervals to swing the jig with said guide as a pivot and effect formation of the curved corner portions of the U-shape stitching.

2. The combination with a sewing machine, of automatic means'to effect U-shape stitching and comprising. a plate-like jig with a door hingedly connected thereto for seating against'one face thereof, the door and jig being provided with U-shape slots registering when the door is closed,

the material to be stitched being adapted to be placed fiat upon the jig and the door closed thereover for holding the material with the portions to be stitched exposed in the slot area in flattened condition, the outer face of the door within the U-shape slot thereof being provided with a similarly-extending U-shape guideway, a guide on the machine head for projection into said guideway when the jig is placed fiat beneath the machine head, the sewing machine needle at this time extending toward the slots and above the material therein, means for moving the jig to advance under the needle the material disposed in the straight portions of the slots, means for effecting momentary retention of said guide in the corner portions of said guideway, and means operative during such retention intervals for swinging the jig with said guide as a pivot to effect formation of the curved corner portions of the U-shape stitching.

3. Automatic pocket stitching means for cooperation with a sewing machine and comprising a plate-like jig with a U-shaped slot therein, a door hingedly connected to a face of the jig and provided with a slot similar to the jig slot and registering therewith when the door is closed, the jig being adapted to have disposed thereon a pocket and supporting material therefor with the portions to be stitched extending in the area of the jig slot, and said door being adapted to be closed on said positioned portions for holding them in place, a U-shaped guideway associated with the outer surface of the door, and concentric and proportionate with said slots, a guide on the machine head for projection into said guideway, and means for actuating the jig in accordance with the directive effect of said guide means to advance the slot-exposed portions of said ma terials beneath the needle.

4. In combination, a sewing machine, a platelike jig to be positioned beneath the machine head and for holding material for the application of U-shape stitching thereto, the jig being provided with a U-shape slot adapted to have material extended thereacross to effect passage of the machine needle through the material, cooperating guide means on the machine and jig for limiting and directing movement of the jig relative to the machine, a cam wheel cooperating with the machine andhaving a cam groove in each face, a cam follower associated with each cam groove, a slide block unit associated with each follower and movable thereby, an elongated lever associated with one of said slide blocks and for engaging and actuating the positioned jig for advancing the jig as controlled by said guide means to effect the straight-line portions of the U-shape stitching, a second lever associated with the other of said cam blocks, a shaft adapted to be axially actuated by said second lever, a turntable fixed to the shaft, an arm associated eccentrically with the turntable to be moved thereby, gear means for modifying the movement of the arm as effected by the turntable, and means whereby said arm releasably engages the jig at the intervals between the straight-line stitching operations for swinging the jig to efiect formation of the curve portions of the U-shape stitching, said two sets of cam-operated jig-actuating means being designed for complementary and successive operation relative to one another.

5. In combination, a sewing machine, a plurality of plate-like jigs each adapted to be positioned beneath the machine head and to hold material for the application of curve stitching thereto, each jig being provided with open areas wherein the portions of the material to be stitched are adapted to be disposed for effecting passage of the needle therethrough, a conveyor and associated means for carrying and depositing the jigs in sewing position beneath the head, means cooperating with the machine for actuating and for guiding the positioned jigs to advance beneath the needle the portions of the material to be stitched, and means on the machine and jigs for starting the machine as each jig reaches sewing position and for stopping the machine when the sewing operation is completed.

6. In combination, a sewing machine, a platelike jig and means thereon for holding stitchable fabric in association therewith, a slot in the jig to afford clearance for passage of the sewing machine needle through the fabric when the jig is placed beneath the machine head, said slot comprising a curve and a straight portion, a guideway on the jig of similar general outline to said slot and comprising a corner portion, a guide on the machine head for projection down into said guideway for limiting and controlling movement of the jig relative to the machine head, means for actuating the jig to advance beneath the needle the portions of the fabric associated with said slot, a spring plate adjacent said corner portion of the guideway and adapted to yieldresiliently and permit movement of the guideway past said guide in one direction, said guide being provided with a slot in its guideway-projecting portion, and a finger extending into the guideway adjacent said c-orner portion of the guideway to preclude further advance of the guideway past the guide until the jig is turned to bring the slot of said guide into aligned passing relationship with said finger, the guide retention means thus described being adapted to effect pivotal movement of the jig by said actuating means whereby the curve portions of said slot and the fabric associated therewith are advanced under the needle.

'7. The combination with a sewing machine, of

automatic pocket stitching means comprising a plate-like jig with a door hingedly connected thereto for seating against one face thereof, the door and jig being provided with slots made up of alternate straight and curved portions and which slots are adapted to register when the door is closed, the material to be stitched being placed flat upon the jig and the door closed thereover for holding the material with the portions to be stitched exposed in the slot areas, means for moving the jig to advance the slot-disposed portion of the material beneath the needle, and guide means on the machine for insuring true movement of the jig as actuated by said moving means.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a jig adapted for use in stitching pockets and comprising a plate-like body provided on one face with a counter-sunk area having a U-shaped slot therein made up of alternate straight and curved portions, and a door hingedly connected to said body for seating in said counter-sunk portion, said do-or being provided with a U-shaped slot similar to and registering with the slot of said body when the door is closed, the material to be stitched being adapted to be placed on said body with the portions to be stitched above the slot over.

CHARLES G. DAUGHTERS. 

